The passing of Ifeanyi Adeleke, the deceased son of Chioma Rowland and David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, took the nation by storm last week.
Reports, which many wished were rumours, emerged that the budding and energetic three-year-old Ifeanyi, who just finished marking his birthday, drowned in a swimming pool.
The swimming pool, it was learnt, is inside the Banana Island home of the Afrobeat singer, who was away with his betrothal and mother of Ifeanyi, Chioma in Ibadan for a family engagement when the sad incident happened.
In lieu of this development, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gleans that the death of Ifeanyi could have been avoided if certain safety measures had been put in place.
For instance, if the swimming pool inside Davido’s compound was fenced, the sad incident could have been avoided.
Also, at age 3, with Davido having a swimming pool inside his compound, in the absence of a fence, early swimming lessons would have done Ifeanyi a lot of good, but certainly not without a guardian.
According to Baby Centre, babies can start learning to swim around the age of one, though they would not master swimming skills until they are at least 4 years old. Babies who start their swim lessons when they are 10-18 months old usually take between 1.5 to 2 years to learn to swim independently.
If Ifeanyi started having swimming lessons say at age one, he would have been able to hold himself longer inside the pool until he got help, and the story would have been different today.
However, given the back-and-forth nature of Davido and Chioma’s relationship, it meant that Ifeanyi could not get early swimming lessons when it is obvious that the Afrobeat singer is having a swimming pool in his compound.
It was only recently after Davido and Chioma’s relationship started budding again that the singer shared footage of himself and his 3-year-old sharing time in the water.
Without aiming at flogging a dead horse or raising dust, this is a wake-up call for parents who are having toddlers and a swimming pool inside their compounds.
Needless to say, it is good to know how to swim. Everyone should. It is never too late to learn.
Avoid swimming alone
Always swim with a partner, every time, whether you are swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake. Even experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps, which can make it hard to get out of the water. When people swim together, they can help each other or go for help in an emergency. It is important for kids to learn how to swim and learn about basic water safety early in life but wrong for them to swim alone.
Know your limits
If you are not a good swimmer or you are just learning to swim, do not go inside water that is so deep you cannot touch the bottom and don’t try to keep up with skilled swimmers. That can be hard, especially if your friends are challenging you. But it is a pretty sure bet they’d rather have you safe and alive.
If you are a good swimmer and have had lessons, keep an eye on friends who are not as comfortable or as skilled as you are. If it seems like they are getting tired or a little uneasy, suggest taking a break from swimming for a while.
Swim in safe areas only
It is always best to swim in places that are supervised by a lifeguard. No one can anticipate changing ocean currents, rip currents, sudden storms, or other hidden dangers. If something does go wrong, lifeguards are trained in rescue techniques.
Swimming in an open body of water (like a river, lake, or ocean) is different from swimming in a pool. You need more energy to handle the currents and other changing conditions in the open water. Strongly consider wearing a personal floatation device in open bodies of water, even if you are a strong swimmer.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. Try to swim parallel to the shore until you can get out of the current, which is usually a narrow channel of water.
Gradually try to make your way back to shore as you do so. If you cannot swim away from the current, stay calm and float with it. The current will usually slow down. When it does, you can swim to shore.
Even a very good swimmer who tries to swim against a strong current will get worn out. If you would be swimming in an open body of water, it is a great idea to take swimming lessons that offer tips on handling unexpected hazards.
Some areas with extremely strong currents are off-limits when it comes to swimming. Do your research so you know where not to swim, and pay attention to any warning signs posted in the area.
Be careful about diving
Diving injuries can cause head injury, permanent spinal cord damage, paralysis, and sometimes even death. Protect yourself by only diving in areas known to be safe, such as the deep end of a supervised pool. If an area has “No Diving” or “No Swimming” signs, pay attention to them. A “No Diving” sign means the water isn’t safe for a head-first entry.
Even if you plan to jump in feet first, check the water’s depth before you leap to make sure there are no hidden rocks or other hazards. Lakes or rivers can be cloudy and hazards may be hard to see.
Watch the sun
Sun reflecting off the water or off sand can intensify the burning rays. You might not feel sunburned when the water feels cool and refreshing, but the pain will catch up with you later. Remember to reapply sunscreen often and cover up much of the time. Don’t forget your hat, UV protection sunglasses, and protective clothing.
Drink plenty of liquids. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if you’re active and sweating. Keep up with fluids- particularly water- to prevent dehydration. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or nausea can be signs of dehydration and overheating.
Getting too cool
Staying in very cool water for long periods can lower your body temperature. A temperature of 70°F (20°C) is nice on land, but water below that will feel cold to most swimmers. Your body temperature drops far more quickly in water than it does on land.
When you are swimming, you’re using energy and losing body heat even faster. Check yourself when swimming in cold water and stay close to shore.
If you feel your body start to shiver or your muscles cramp up, get out of the water right away. It doesn’t take long for hypothermia to set in.
Alcohol and water never mix
Alcohol is involved in many water-related injuries and up to half of all water-related deaths. The statistics for teen guys are particularly scary: One-half of all teen male drownings are tied to alcohol use.